The Woodwind Patch
This page contains a
collection of G2 models meant to mimic various woodwind instruments.† They are all physical models, many based on the
techniques described in these pages, with special attention paid to final
equalization.† All instruments have been
equalized to approximate the spectra of sampled instruments contained in the
McGill University Master Samples.
Each model on this page is a
G2 performance, instead of a patch.† This
is because each model requires 4 DSPs to generate the
sound:† one DSP for the basic model, and
three more for equalization.† The G2
expansion board is not required.
The following songs were
recorded using these models.† Each model
was controlled with Yamaha BC3 breath controller through a Kurzweil
ExpressionMate, using variation 8 on slot 1.† The only post-processing added was a
- Hornpipe from Water
Music Suite #1, by George Frideric Handel.† This is usually repeated three times
when performed:† first by a string
section, then by two oboes and a bassoon (with the viola part ignored),
and finally by all instruments together.†
This performance includes an oboe, a bassoon, a clarinet, and an
English horn playing the viola part.
- All Glory,
Laud, and Honor, an English hymn sung to a 17th century
tune written by Melchior Teschner, and performed
by four flutes.† Each flute plays
one part in an SATB arrangement.†
The arrangement was moved to the key of F so that each part fit
within the natural range of the flute.
The models are below.† After each name is the instrumentís natural
- The saxophone (G#1
to E6) This is a straightforward reed model, as
described in these pages.† But it is
equalized not to a particular saxophone type, but to five separate types
(bass, baritone, tenor, alto, and soprano), spread across the keyboard.† This creates a saxophone-like sound over
a wide range of notes, all from a single patch.
- The oboe (A#3 to F6)† This is based
on the reed model.† But this
instrument plays the second harmonic of the pipe instead of the
fundamental.† This is achieved by
changing the pipeís shape, and by the use of a notch filter tuned to
cancel out the fundamental.† It
changes the attack characteristic of the model.
- The bassoon† (A#1 to F4)
This is a straightforward reed model, as described in these pages.
- The English horn† (E3 to A5) This
is a straightforward reed model, as described in these pages.
- The clarinet† (D3 to D6) This
model is not described in these pages.†
Itís a G2 version of the clarinet model contained in the Synthesis
Toolkit.† Itís a different type of
reed driver, connected to a straight pipe.†
Its forte is producing hollow, woody sounds.† It is a well-behaved model that responds
well to wide variations in air pressure.
- The flute (C4 to C7) This is a blown pipe model, chosen over the flute model
because of itís attack characteristics.†
A G2 overdrive module is used to create the even harmonics which
are present in a flute, but absent from the blown pipe model.
In each model, the following
variations are programmed:
- Variation 1:†
This is a basic sound.† Itís
triggered by the keyboard, and the mod wheel provides expression.
- Variations 2 through 7:† These variations use the mod wheel morph
group to abuse the parameters of the model in various ways.† In the flute model, variation 2 is
similar to variation 1, but the overdrive module is turned off.† This creates a woodier, recorder-like
- Variation 8:†
This is the basic sound, similar to variation 1.† But itís controlled by a breath
controller (MIDI CC#2).† If your breath controller transmits MIDI
CC#7, change the ďMIDI Air CtrlĒ value on the third Env page from Ď2í to
Ď7í.† Also change the MIDI assignment of morph group 8 from CC#2 to CC#7.